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SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


BY THE SAME AUTHOR 


BOYS AND GIRLS 
Illustrated 

VOICES OF SONG 

With an Introductory Note by Theodore 
Roosevelt 

TALES OF THE TRAIL 

A Book of Western Sketches in Verse 
Illustrated by John Wolcott Adams 

FRIENDLY RHYMES 

Illustrated by John Wolcott Adams 


E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY 





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SLEEPY HEAD "AND THE SAND MAN 






SING A SONG OF 
SLEEPY HEAD 


BEING READABLE RHYMES 
FOR CURIOUS CHILDREN 



JAMES W. FOLEY 

«\ 

Author of “Friendly Rhymes,” “Boys and Girls,” etc. 



NEW YORK 

E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY 

681 Fifth Avenue 


Copyright, 1922, 

By E. P. Dutton & Company 


All Rights Reserved 


c*n 




PRINTED IN THE UNITED 
STATES OF AMERICA 

9 

©CI.A686544 

OCT 30 72 4 % 



-Vlt is 


FOREWORD 


This collection of rhymes includes a play for 
children and grown-ups, a romance from the en- 
chanted land of dream, an adventure with rollicking 
spirit and narrative. 

Old and favorite friends are encountered in 
strange places and fancifully adventuring. The 
rhyming has been done with tunefulness and good- 
humor, and a swinging rhythm that it may have 
charm in the reading. And if there is any share of 
the delight in the reading that there has been in the 
doing I shall be satisfied. 

The book is dedicated to two hundred thousand 
school children who have laughed with me in friendly 
hours in school, and to those others who might have 
laughed had I been able to read to them all. 

J. W. F. 



\ 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Sing a Song of Sleepy Head .... 3 

Isabel and the Golden Swans .... 55 

The Flight of the Stick Candy Man . .113 



SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 





I 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 

A Play for Grownups and Children 

Characters: 

Children: 

Sleepy Head 
Sand Man 
Captain Kidd 
Bluebeard 
Margery Daw 
Miss Muffet 
Topsy 

Orphan Annie 
Boy Blue 
Tom Tucker 
Jack Horner 
Piper's Tom 
Baby Bunting 
Cinderella 
Scribe 

Grownups : 

Miss Question Mark 
Old Woman 
Santa Claus 
Mother of Sleepy Head 
3 


A play in rhyme with well-marked rhythm which 
is to he emphasized in the reading of the lines. Ges- 
tures and movements to he rhythmical and in tune 
with the rhythm of the spoken lines. Costuming to 
he in keeping with the popular conception of the char- 
acters portrayed. Costumes of the Children in 
the Shoe to he significant of need, to lend the Play 
the only touch of the pathetic it has. Scribe’s cos- 
tume to he of appropriate long coat , knee trousers , 
silk stockings and shoes with great buckles, and 
topped with a powdered wig. Gnome’s costume to 
be of green cloak and cap, shoulders broadened and 
tapering down to thin legs in tights with toes of\ 
shoes turned up. Hour glass about the size of ordi- 
nary lantern. Slate to he of papier mache attached 
with cord that it may he lifted off table and up 
through window. The accompaniment of rhythmical 
movement and gesture to the rhythm of the lines 
makes one of the interesting and fascinating elements 
of the play. Thus in Sleepy Head’s speech : 

I’ve scratched my head and I've scratched my slate 
Till nine o’clock from half past eight. 

Tap smartly with pencil on table at words 
“scratched,” “ scratched ,” “nine” and “half.” In 
the speech of the Ten Children on their en- 
trance : 

“IV e thank you Ma’am , and we’re glad we came.” 

A how at the word “thank” and another at the word 
“glad” will mark the lines with rhythmical gesture . 

4 ’ 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


[Enter Scribe from wings , with parchment and 
quill pen , and reads.] 

Scribe 

This is the Preface — it goes before 
The book you buy in the shop or store ; 

It’s not the tale for in every kind 
Of thing the tale always comes behind. 

I bid you welcome and hope you’ll stay 
To see the whole of our Children’s Play; 

I’m sure you’ll say when the play is through 
That we have acted as well as you. 

We’re all in place for we start on time, 

And the whole of our Play is done in rhyme. 

I’ll come and tell when the Play is done, 

For you might go home and miss half the fun. 

I’m going now, but I wish to say 
We hope you’ll like our Children’s Play; 

We’re not as old as some folks may be, 

But if you act nicely, so will we ! 

[Exit, keeping step with rhythm of verse.] 

5 


PROLOGUE 


[. Drawing-room scene . Door center . French win- 
dows right and left. Large fire-place , corner left. 
Door left . Easy chairs either side of fire-place. 
Easy chair beside door, left . Huge settee, right cen- 
ter . Drawing-room table, right. Window, right 
above . Hall clock, right corner . wicker basket, 

right center. Easy chair by table . 

Sleepy Head, with dressing gown, slippers, sits 
in easy chair by table scratching his head with left 
hand, scratching slate with pencil in right. Open 
book of sums before him. From draperies of win- 
dow at right, above table, face of Gnome peers at 
Sleepy Head. Gnome has tall cap, gray beard, 
snow ott cap . Hall clock marks nine.'] 

Sleepy Head 

I’ve scratched my head and I’ve scratched my slate 
Till nine o’clock from half-past eight. 

[Scratches slate vigorously as if computing .] 

Oh, sums are such troublesome things ! 

I wish this old red slate had wings ! 

I wish it would fly to some place I can’t see 
And stay there forever and not bother me ! 

[Yawns. Slate rises slowly from table. Head 
of Gnome disappears instantly. Sleepy Head 
looks in amazement as slate continues to rise 
6 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 7 


through the air and finally disappears through 
window above drawing room table.] 

Sleepy Hea£> 

Now, would you believe it? It’s gone, I declare ! 

It flew off the table and up through the air ! 

Well, good riddance to it and good-bye to sums ! 

[Throws book high in air and lets it clatter to 
floor . Rapping heard at the door , center.] 
There’s a rap at the door and I wonder who comes ! 
[Gets down from chair and marches to door , 
center, and throws it open. Discloses queer, 
gnome-like figure, with cap and gray beard and 
cloak, with snowflakes on. Gnome bears an 
hour glass, carried in right hand from ring at 
top . Sand runs slowly through.] 

Sleepy Head 

Good evening, Old Fellow, and how do you do? 
My goodness! How funny! And who pray are 
you? 

[Gnome enters with Sleepy Head, sets down 
hour glass and shakes snow from cap and coat . 
Makes profound bow.] 

Gnome 

I’m very well, thank you. I’ll just look about. 

I won’t stay a moment. I’m going right out. 


8 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 
Sleepy Head 

If you go so quickly, then why did you call? 

I don’t understand why you came in at all. 


Gnome 

You’ll know in a minute. 

[ Picks up hour-glass .] 

No, please do not frown. 

Just come over here to this chair and sit down. 

[Walks with Sleepy Head to chair by table. 
Sets hour glass on table. Then turns with 
uplifted f ore finger. ] 

I know what your name is. Your name’s Sleepy 
Head! 

It’s nine o’clock now and time you were in bed! 
Sleepy Head 

[Rests elbow on table and watches running 
sand intently .] 

I am getting sleepy! I’m tired from play! 

I worked at my sums till my slate flew away, 

Right out of that window, just then as you came. 
My! I’m getting sleepy! 

[Yawns deeply.'] 

Pray, what is your name? 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 9 


Gnome 

They call me the Sand Man ! When there’s a hard 
sum 

Too hard for tonight, then it’s time that I come 
And send slates a-flying, for hard sums will keep, 
But boys will keep better if they go to sleep. 

Sleepy Head 
Did you see my slate fly? 

Gnome 

I gave it the wings! 

For I do all manner of marvelous things. 

I dance with the letters till they are so blurred 
You cannot read stories — not even a word! 

And I stick your eyelids together so tight 
You fall off to sleep without saying good-night! 

Sleepy Head 

My eyes are so heavy. Please turn out the light! 
[Sand Man turns of light on table, leaving 
room dimly lighted.'] 

Good-night, Mister Sand Man. I thank you! 
Good-night ! 

[Sleepy Head sinks back in depth of easy 
chair asleep. Sand Man picks up hour glass 
and tiptoes in rhythm to door. Stops and 
turns.] 


10 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Sand Man 

He ate a great piece of mince pie, did he I 
Now what will he dream of? Ha! Ha! We shall 
see ! 

[ Exits by door , center , leaving Sleepy Head 
asleep in easy chair . Pause. Curtain .] 


END OF PROLOGUE 


INTERLUDE 


[Scribe enters and reads before curtain as 
before.] 

Scribe 

Now that was the Prologue — that goes between 
The Preface and what is the Major Scene. 

But I can’t tell what it’s all about, 

You’ll have to wait till it’s acted out. 

It’s all a dream, as you may surmise, 

Out of plum pudding and hot mince pies. 

So watch the chimney and grate because, 

You may, if you do, see Santa Claus! 

The next is the longest scene of all, 

But after they let the curtain fall, 

Please keep your seats, there’s a short one then, 
And don’t go home till I tell you when. 

[ Exit as before .] 


11 


THE DREAM 


[Same scene without change . Sleepy Head 
asleep in easy chair . Light in room suddenly 
becomes brighter . Sound of school-bell ring- 
ing. Enter Miss Question Mark, door 
center. She wears prim hat, curls, great shell- 
rims, prim gown and carries bag. Advances 
to center of stage.] 

Miss Question Mark 

The school-bell is ringing — hark! 

Yes, I am Miss Question Mark! 

I’m two times two and three times three, 

For I am the school ma’am, don’t you see? 

And at nine o’clock I come 

With table and rule and sum. 

I set every boy a difficult task, 

And I ask and ask and ask and ask. 

[Takes book from bag, opens and sings.] 

Song of the Question Mark 

What did Columbus do 

In fourteen ninety-two? 

Why does the earth turn round each day? 

How many stars in the milky way? 

How many feet in a yard, please tell? 

What’s the degree of an icickell? 

12 



f 


4 







SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 15 


How many hours on the clock? 

Who came to Plymouth Rock? 

Make haste and answer me: 

Where did they throw the tea? 

How many pints will a quart cup fill? 

What did they do at Bunker Hill? 

What is the Arctic Zone? 

Where is your c.ollar bone? 

Where is the sun when it’s out of sight? 

Why is it dark when it is not light? 

And that’s how I go on from dawn till dark, 

And that’s why they call me Miss Question Mark. 
[ Turns to remove hat } and set book and bag 
on table . Sees Sleepy Head asleep in the 
chair.] 

Miss Question Mark 
My goodness me! Here’s a boy I see 
Who’s sound asleep as a boy can be ! 

[Shakes Sleepy Head vigorously. Sound of 
school-bell is heard again.] 

Come, Little Boy, it’s time to tell 

Your lessons now! Don’t you hear the bell? 

[Sleepy Head opens his eyes , rubs them and 
yawns.] 

Miss Question Mark 
[Beats time on table with pencil and repeats.] 
What did Columbus do 
In fourteen ninety-two? 


16 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Why does the earth turn round each day? 

How many stars in the milky way? 

How many feet in a yard, please tell? 

What’s the degree of an icickell? 

How many hours on the clock? 

Who came to Plymouth Rock? 

Make haste and answer me: 

Where did they throw the tea? 

How many pints will a quart cup fill? 

What did they do at Bunker Hill? 

What is the Arctic Zone? 

Where is your collar bone? 

Where is the sun when it’s out of sight? 

Why is it dark when it is not light? 

What’s two times two and three times three? 
Hurry, make haste and answer me! 

Sleepy Head 

Oh, Teacher, sums are such troublesome things 
For me to do, and my slate took wings; 

I saw it go up through the air, 

And fly right out of the window there ! 

Miss Question Mark 

You naughty boy, to have done no sums! 

What will you say when Santa Claus comes? 

A dunce’s cap you should surely wear 
And not move out of that easy chair 
Till you’ve answered my questions and done your 
sums ! 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 17 


Or what will you say when Santa Claus comes? 

[ Head rises from behind easy chair at right of 
fireplace. Pirate’s kerchief , great moustaches , 
face grinning broadly at Sleepy Head, who 
points and cries in fear.] 

Sleepy Head 

Oh, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher see 

That terrible man who is grinning at me! 

[ Pirate chief comes from behind chair toward 
center of stage, swaggering. Miss Question 
Mark turns and sees Captain Kidd, with 
pirate’s garb , red sash with knife in belt, great 
boots and skull and cross-bones in white on 
black shirt.] 

Miss Question Mark 
[ Advances and leans over Captain Kidd.] 

Well, this is a pretty howdy-do! 

Pray where did you come from, and who are you? 

Captain Kidd 

[Looks up defiantly at Miss Question Mark 
who retreats a step and stands with hands on 
hips. Sings.] 

Song — Captain Kidd and Sleepy Head 

I’m the terrible Captain Kidd! 

You know all the things I did! 


18 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 



A terrible, terrible man am I, 

For once I quartered your friend, Mince Pie, 

I quartered your friend, Mince Pie. 

Sleepy Head 

Oh yoil terrible man, so cruel and grim ! 

What an awful thing to do to him I 

Captain Kidd 

I’m the tefrible Captain Kidd! 

I quartered Mince Pie and hid! 

I quartered Mince Pie and I heard him groan, 
And then I scuttled an Ice Cream Cone, 

I scuttled an Ice Cream Cone ! 



SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 19 



Sleepy Head 

Oh, you terrible man, to make him groan, 

And then to scuttle an ice cream cone. 

Captain Kidd 

I’m the terrible Captain Kidd! 

I scuttled the Cone I did! 

And Ginger Cake went floating by 
And I bit him in two with a terrible cry! 

A terrible, terrible cry! 

Sleepy Head 

Oh you awful man, pray tell me why 

You should bite him in two with a terrible cry? 


20 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Captain Kidd 

I’m the terrible Captain Kidd, 

And now you know why I did. 

I scuttled the Cone and quartered the Pie 
And bit the Cake with a terrible cry, 

I’m a terrible man, that’s why. 

Sleepy Head 

I’ll never, no never be friends with you — 

What terrible, terrible things to do ! 

Miss Question Mark 

[Advances and points her forefinger at Cap- 
tain Kidd.] 

Do you know how many are two times two? 
That’s four — big fibs we have heard from you. 
You never quartered my friend Mince Pie! 

You never bit Cake with a terrible cry. 

You never scuttled an Ice Cream Cone. 

Go stand in the corner there alone! 

Go stand in the corner, one, two, three! 

You think you are awful, but look at me. 

I’ll give you a page of sums to do 

And you’ll think I am terrible when you’re through! 

Captain Kidd 

I’m Captain Kidd! I’m a villain bold! 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 21 


Miss Question Mark 
You do exactly as you’re told! 

Go stand in the corner there alone! 

You never scuttled an Ice Cream Cone! 

[ Takes Captain Kidd by the ear , leads him 
to the corner by table, gets book from table 
and thrusts it into his hands , and leaves him 
with final threatening shake of forefinger. 
Another head rises from chair at left of fire- 
place, with fez , white hair f blue beard , and 
arm comes up waving a scimitar . Sleepy 
Head points in fright.'] 

Sleepy Head 

Oh, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher look! 

Who stepped right out of that story book 
I read last night, and he’s hiding there! 

I saw him peep from behind that chair ! 

[Head disappears .] 

Miss Question Mark 

You stay right there and I’ll go and see 
What mischievous personage he may be. 

[Marches to easy chair and looks behind it.] 
Come now from back of that easy chair ! 

How long have you been hiding there ? 

[Brings intruder from back of chair and leads 
him to center of stage . He has Turkish cos- 
tume, with great, turn-toed slippers.] 


22 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Why, your hair is gray and your beard is blue ! 
Say what are you doing and who are you? 

Blue Beard^ Song 

Oh how can you ask me who am I, 

I am the ghost of a hot mince pie, 

And can’t you tell when my beard is blue 
As you see it is that my name is, too! 

When my beard you see 
You must agree 
My name’s Bluebeard 
With a double B. 

My hair is white, yes white as snow, 

’Twas my eight wives that made it so, 

With worry and fret — yes, ere I knew 
My eight wives left me white and blue. 

Yes, ere I knew 
My beard was blue, 

And my hair was white 
From that fearful crew. 

They’ve told such awful things of me 
I’m bashful in good company, 

I’m a terrible man, I am, I know, 

But a terrible life has made me so. 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 23 

With hats to buy 
And bills to pay, 

It’s a wonder I 
Am alive today. 

Sleepy Head 
I read of you when I first began 
To read. You’re an awful, awful man! 

Captain Kidd 

He’s no such terrible man as I ! 

I quartered your good old friend, Mince Pie 
And scuttled the good ship Ice Cream Cone! 

Miss Question Mark 
You stand in the corner there alone 
And do your sums as you have been shown! 

You never scuttled an Ice Cream Cone ! 

Bluebeard 

He’s nothing at all compared with me! 

I had eight wives and a snickersnee. 

And I cut their heads off, Oh, Oh, Oh! 

For they entered my room when I told them no. 
They swept my rugs and they made me sneeze 
When I wanted to sleep and they did not please 
My taste at all; they roamed about 
In idleness till the fire went out. 

They cooked no food and they made no beds, 

So while they slept I cut off their heads, 


24 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 

And now not one of them bothers me. 

And here is the very snickersnee. 

[Extends scimitar.'] 

Miss Question Mark 
Do you know your sums and your books beside? 

Bluebeard 

Well, I know how to subtract and divide. 

Eight from eight leaves none, you see, 

And I divide with my snickersnee. 

\W aves scimitar.] 

Miss Question Mark 
[Seizes scimitar.] 

Give me that terrible snickersnee. 

You think you are fearful, just look at me! 

You stand right there and face the wall. 

You never had any wives at all. 

You’re a fib, you are, and you never did 
The things you say more than Captain Kidd, 
Who stands in the corner there alone 
And says he scuttled an Ice Cream Cone. 

Bluebeard 

I had eight wives and a snickersnee! 

Miss Question Mark 
And now you have neither, as you see. 

You’re but a fib, if your beard is blue. 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 25 


And nobody here is afraid of you. 

How bad a man you may think to be, 

You never used any snickersnee. 

And you can’t frighten us with your looks, 

You’re only a picture in story books. 

You never cut off one wife’s poor head — 

You ought to be spanked and sent to bed. 

[Face of Old Woman is seen peering through 
window left center. Sharp nose, cone-shaped 
hat, ragged shawl, tattered gown.] 

Sleepy Head 

Oh, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher, see 

That strange Old Woman who looked at me! 

There! Look! I see her face again! 

She’s looking right through that window pane! 

Miss Question Mark 

[Marches to window and throws open sash 
door.] 

We’ll open the sash door wide and see! 

Old Woman ! Old Woman ! And who can you be? 
And what are you doing and where do you go? 
Come right in out of the cold and snow! 

[Closes sash door, marches to door at center 
and throws it open. Enter Old Woman, 
snow on bonnet and shawl. She looks about 
fearfully ,] 


26 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Miss Question Mark 
Who are you, Old Woman, and what do you do? 

Old Woman 

[ With pathetic emphasis .] 

I am the Old Woman who lived in the shoe. 

But the sides fell in and the sole wore through 
And I had no money to buy a new. 

I could not rent for they knew I had 
So many children, both good and bad, 

So I and my children set out to roam, 

Since our shoe’s worn out and we have no home. 
Now listen close and you shall hear 
My children sing in the snowdrifts near: 

Chorus of Children Singing, off-stage 

Home, home, sweet, sweet home ! 

If it’s only a shoe there is no place like home ! 

Old Woman 

Thus always at Christmas we set out to roam 
Till we find us a shoe like the one that was Home ! 

Bluebeard 

[Turns.] 

I’d be very glad, if you so incline 
To offer the use of one of mine. 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 27 


Miss Question Mark 
You face the wall as I bade you be, 

You fib of the wives and the snickersnee. 

Captain Kidd 

I’m a villain bold, but I’ll make a loan 
Of one of the only boots I own. 

Miss Question Mark 
You stand in the corner there alone, 

You wretch who scuttled the Ice Cream Cone! 

Sleepy Head 

Oh, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher dear! 

I’ll lend her one of my slippers here! 

Miss Question Mark 
I’ll use that slipper, Sir, on you, 

If you leave that chair till I bid you to! 

Old Woman 

[Curtseys,] 

I thank you, Sirs, but I could not use 
The one or all of your proffered shoes! 

To live in a shoe with room to spare 
Takes much more shoe than*a shoe to wear. 

[ Curtseys again.] 

I thank you Ma’am, for the cheer and light, 
I’m warmer now and I’ll say good night. 


28 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Miss Question Mark 

Your children must be wet to the skin. 

Go open the door and call them in. 

Old Woman 

[Curtseys.] 

I thank you, Ma’am, and you’ll plainly see 
The kind of shoe it needs to be. 

[Turns, opens door and calls.] 

Come Children, dear, they have no shoe, 

But a cosy room they bid us to. 

Come now by window and come by door, 

Come as you never came before. 

Come far, come wide, come high, come low, 

Come from out of the cold and snow. 

[The children enter, some by door, some by 
windows, either side. Margery Daw, Miss 
Muffet, Topsy, Boy Blue, Jack Horner, 
Tom Tucker, Orphan Ann, Piper’s Tom, 
Cinderella and Baby Bunting. They 
range themselves closely about the Old 
Woman and look curiously about. All scantily 
clothed , some barelegged , Margery Daw 
with straw on her shawl, Muffet with stains 
of curds and whey on her face . Boy Blue has 
his horn, Piper’s Tom a pig under his arm, 
Cinderella a ragged shawl.] 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 29 


Old Woman 

[ Curtseys .] 

Come Children dear, so cold and blue, 

See this warm place they bid us to. 

I thank you, Ma’am. 

[ Turns to Children.] 

And do you the same ! 

Children 

[Curtseying,] 

We thank you Ma’am 
[ Curtseys .] 

And we’re glad we came. 

Old Woman 

Can’t you sing the song good children do, 
The song we sang when we lived in the shoe ? 

Good Children's Song 
(Miss Muffet and Margery Daw) 

The nicest words we know are these: 
“Excuse me, thank you, if you please,” 
Whatever other words we say, 

We need them, need them every day. 

Don’t mix them up, for if you sneeze, 

You never should say “if you please” 

But always say “excuse me.” 

If any cold kerchoo’s me, 

I always say “excuse me.” 


30 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Chorus of Children 

Don’t mix them up for if you sneeze, 

You never should say “if you please” 

But always say “excuse me,” 

If any cold kerchoo’s me 
I always say “excuse me.” 

The nicest things to eat are these, 

Ice cream and cake and pie with cheese, 
We like to eat them when we may, 

We’d love to eat them every day. 

But when you’re offered one of these 
O pray don’t say “excuse me please” 

But always say “I thank you” 

For Mama’ll surely spank you. 

If you don’t say “I thank you.” 

Chorus of Children 

So when you’re offered one of these 
O pray don’t say “excuse me please” 

But always say “I thank you” 

For Mama’ll surely spank you. 

If you don’t say “I thank you.” 

Miss Question Mark 
Are there any more that you ought to call? 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 31 


Old Woman 

[Curtseys.] 

I thank you Ma’am 
But I think that’s all. 

[Advances Margery Daw.] 

This is See Saw, Margery Daw, 

You’ll plainly see she has slept on straw! 

Miss Question Mark 

Come here, my dear, and look at me. 

What do you know of the rule of three? 

Margery Daw 

Quite nothing at all, I promise you, 

We had no rules when we lived in the shoe. 

Miss Question Mark 

Take your place at the head of the line, 

Remember the school days begin at nine. 

[Margery Daw takes place in front of settee 
at center of stage , extreme right.] 

Old Woman 

This is Muffet with face full of curds and whey. 

I never get time to wipe them away. 


32 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Miss Question Mark 

[ Takes out kerchief and rubs vigorously.'] 
Please stand right there till I wipe away 
Those dreadful stains of curds and whey. 

Now! Plymouth Rock? Where may it be? 

Make haste, make haste, and answer me. 

Miss Muffet 

Was it the pebble we children knew 

That was way, way down in the toe of our shoe? 

For if it was, I can’t say where 

It is for even the shoe’s not there. 

Miss Question Mark 

Such ignorance I never saw. 

Go take your place by Margery Daw. 

Old Woman 

And this is Topsy — she lived in the shoe 

Till the sides fell in and the sole wore through. 

Topsy 

[ Grins as Miss Question Mark waves ker- 
chief.] 

Don’t wipe mah face, Missy Ma’am, dat way! 
Cause dat stain ain’t any curds and whey. 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 33 


Miss Question Mark 

I can plainly see you lived in the shoe! 

You brought away some of the polish too! 

We must brighten you and make you shine. 

So take your place in the school-room line. 

[Topsy takes place next to Miss Muffet and 
grins broadly.'] 

Old Woman 

[. Advances Children one by one.] 

Here’s little Boy Blue and Orphan Ann, 

And Piper’s Tom with the pig who ran. 
Sometimes it’s very hard for me 
To say which is the pig and which is he. 

And Tommy Tucker, and here are more 
Who came by window and came by door. 

Baby Bunting all dressed in blue, 

And Little Jack Horner is waiting too. 

And Cinderella ! My goodness me, 

There seems no end to this family! 

I’m very sure you never knew 
How many children lived in the shoe. 

[Children ranged in line before settee. Miss 
Question Mark stands left center , facing 
children.] 

Miss Question Mark 

It must have turned your hair quite gray 
When they played inside on a rainy day! 


34 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Captain Kidd 

Old Woman, Old Woman, I’ve heard of you. 

You never, no never, knew what to do. 

It’s well you escaped my pirate crew. 

They’d have cut out the tongue and scuttled the shoe. 

Sleepy Head 

No wonder the shoe was worn and thin, 

That the sole wore through and the sides fell in 
Why, any boy I’ve ever known 
Soon wears two shoes out all alone. 

Bluebeard 

Old Woman, Old Woman, go read and see 
What I did once with my snickersnee. 

I had eight wives and a lazy crew 
They were, but I knew what to do! 

Miss Question Mark 

Silence! Now, Children, stand in line 
And answer these questions all of mine. 

And you, Old Woman, sit quietly by 
You’re quite too old, I’m sure, to try. 

[Old Woman sits in easy chair , left. Miss 
Question Mark marches slowly forward re- 
peating questions and marking time with her 
forefinger. Old Woman taps foot on floor 
and bobs head in time. Sleepy Head bobs 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 35 

head in rhythm . Captain Kidd and Blue- 
beard hob in rhythm. Children in line fall 
to bobbing heads and tapping feet in time till 
all are marking time to Miss Question 
Mark's gestures .] 

Song of the Question Mark 

What did Columbus do 
In fourteen ninety-two? 

Why does the earth turn around each day? 

How many stars in the milky way? 

How many feet in a yard please tell? 

What’s the degree of an icickell? 

How many hours on the clock? 

Who came to Plymouth Rock? 

Make haste and answer me! 

Where did they throw the tea? 

How many pints will a quart cup fill? 

What do you know about Bunker Hill? 

Where is the Arctic Zone? 

Where is your collar bone? 

Where is the sun when it’s out of sight? 

Why is it dark when it is not light? 

What’s two times two and three times three? 
Hurry, make haste and answer me ! 

Margery Daw 
[Steps forward and bows.] 

I’m sorry Ma’am, but we never knew 
Columbus — he did not live in our shoe. 


36 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


So I can’t answer as I’m bid — 

He never told us what he did. 

Captain Kidd 

Nobody cares what Columbus did. 

Why don’t you ask about Captain Kidd? 

Muffet 

[ Steps forward and bows.] 

We’d like to ask if you can spread 
A little jam on a lot of bread? 

Topsy 

[ Steps forward and grins. ] 

Dey ain’t any stahs in the milky way. 
Dey’s only cows dere eatin’ hay! 

Tom Tucker 
[ Steps forward .] 

We had no yard, we lived in a shoe, 

So how many feet we never knew. 

Cinderella 
[ Steps forward .] 

We had no clock that we could see, 

To tell how many hours there be. 

We only know it’s one, two, three 
Four, five, six hours from lunch to tea. 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 37 


Jack Horner 

If you’ll find where the grounds may be 
Perhaps that’s where they threw the tea. 

Bluebeard 

I had eight wives and a snickersnee. 

And eight from eight leaves nothing you see. 

My name’s Bluebeard with a double B ! 

Why don’t you ask if they’ve heard of me? 

[. Jingle of sleigh-bells heard outside.'] 

Sleepy Head 

Oh Teacher, Teacher, Teacher dear! 

What is that sound of bells I hear? 

Miss Question Mark 
[ Marches to window, opens sash door and 
looks out.] 

It’s Santa Claus, as I do believe! 

I quite forgot ’twas Christmas eve! 

[. Marches back and hurries children back of 
sofa, where they hide themselves.] 

Come, Children dear, you must be hid! 

Bluebeard 

Now you ask him what Columbus did! 


38 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Miss Question Mark 

[ Marches to Old Woman, and hides her be - 
hind chair at left .] 

Old Woman, Old Woman, you hurry too! 

He’s coming down the chimney flue. 

You don’t mind that I’m sure, do you? 

You’ll think you’re back in the same old shoe. 

[. Marches back, and leads Sleepy Head to 
chair at left of fire-place, hiding him behind it.] 
You stay right there while Santa Claus comes, 
You naughty boy who has done no sums! 

Captain Kidd 

[ Runs to window and peers out.] 

I see him come ! I see him come ! 

With doll and sled and horn and drum! 

[i Sleigh-bells jingle furiously . Miss Question 
Mark leads Bluebeard to chair, right of fire- 
place.'] 


Miss Question Mark 
[ Thrusts Bluebeard behind chair.] 

Down, down you go and stay close hid, 

Or I’ll show you what Columbus did! 

[ Returns and leads Captain Kidd from win- 
dow to basket at left. Lifts him up and thrusts 
him down into the basket.] 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 39 


And you go down with Davy Jones, 

You scuttler of Pies and Ice Cream Cones. 

You’ve scuttled many a ship and crew 
But now’s our turn to scuttle you ! 

[ Claps lid down on basket. Returns to center 
of stage and looks about .] 

Bluebeard 

[Pokes up his head from back of chair.'] 

Hide, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher dear! 

He’ll never come if he sees you here. 

[Miss Question Mark takes hat and bag 
from table, turns down light so stage is dim , 
and hides in recess by hall clock. Sleigh-bells 
outside jingle less furiously. Stamping of 
hoofs heard and deep voice.] 

Santa Claus 

Whoa, Tom and Bill and Gray and Brown! 

[Great clatter and noise as of body scraping 
inside of chimney .] 

Look out below for I’m coming down! 

[Shoes appear and then legs dangling in fire- 
place. Then body comes into view and tumbles 
down through opening with pack, sprawling. 
Santa Claus picks himself up, brushes soot 
from clothes and looks about.] 


40 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


SANTA CLAUS’S SONG 

Santa Claus 
Oh, what a terrible squeeze! 

I puff and I snort and I wheeze ! 

I am getting quite fat, 

I am sure of that, 

And the soot up there made me to sneeze. 

But I have to be jolly, because, because, 

Because, because I am Santa Claus! 

[ Repeats with loud laughter ] 

I have to be jolly because, because, 

Because, because I am Santa Claus ! 

I have my woes to endure, 

My knees are both skinned, I am sure, 

For down I must go 
Every chimney I know, 

And call on the rich and the poor. 

And I have to keep jolly because, because, 
Because, because I am Santa Claus. 

I have to keep jolly because, because, 

Because, because I am Santa Claus. 

Captain Kidd 

[. Pushes up top of basket and thrusts head out. 
Stage whisper to Miss Question Mark.] 
Oh, Teacher, dear, this is Captain Kidd. 

Why don’t you ask what Columbus did? 

[Head disappears instantly.'] 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 41 


Santa Claus 

\Opens pack, displays toys, and looks about 
room .] 

A wonderful place here I see, 

But where can the children be? 

I saw enough tracks 
To take all of my packs, 

And a dozen strong fellows like me. 

I don’t see their stockings or clothes. 

They have all gone to bed I suppose, 

As good children do. 

Oh, Kerchoo ! Oh, Kerchoo ! [ Sneezes violently .] 
That soot must have got up my nose! 

Now what shall I do? 

[Topsy sneezes violently behind settee. Head 
rises above back of settee.] 

Topsy 

Oh, Kerchoo! Oh, Kerchoo! 

Dat soot must have got up mah nose ! 

[Santa Claus looks about startledly. Sees 
electric light switch and turns on light.] 

Santa Claus 
Did I hear some one sneeze? 

Topsy 

It was me if you please. 

[Santa Claus crosses to settee, lifts Topsy 
from behind it, and surveys her closely.] 


42 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Santa Claus 

Why, you’re soot from your top to your toes! Did 
you come down that flue? 

Topsy 

No, Ah sneezed after you, 

Cause dat soot must have got up mah nose ! 

[ Head of Muffet appears from behind set- 
tee .] 

Muffet 

I was all curds and whey but they wiped it away. 
Margery Daw 

I had straw once all over my clothes! 

Santa Claus 

Who are you? Haw, haw, haw! 

Margery Daw 

I am Margery Daw, but I didn’t get soot up my 
nose ! 

[ Children come from behind settee and crowd 
about Santa Claus who sits down in settee 
and laughs aloud.] 

Santa Claus 

Such a great family as I never did see. 

And I’ve traveled the wide world all through. 

Tell me who you may be? Are you one family? 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 43 


Children 

We’re the children who lived in the shoe! 

Santa Claus 
Have you no place to go? 

Muffet 

We came in from the snow. 

Santa Claus 

You’d have slept here all night I suppose. 

Margery Daw 
We were hiding, you see. 

Tom Tucker 
And were safe as could be. 

Topsy 

If dat soot hadn’t got up mah nose! 

Santa Claus 
What became of the shoe? 

Margery Daw 

[Sadly. 1 

First the sole wore right through. 


44 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Muffet 

[Sadly.1 

Then the sides fell and let in the snows. 

Jack Horner 

Then we came here, we did. 

Cinderella. 

And when you came, we hid. 

Topsy 

Till dat soot it got up in mah nose ! 

Santa Claus 

So the shoe is worn out and you’ve no place to go. 
Would you like a long journey with me through 
the snow? 

I’m just an old man and I live all alone, 

With my wife, Merry Christmas, nor child of my 
own. 

You Ten shall be mine and shall live there with me. 
All happy and merry and glad as can be. 

And you shall have goodies and warm clothes to 
wear. 

And you shall have ribbons to wind in your hair. 
And you shall have clean beds to sleep in at night. 
And you shall have love to make all your hearts 
light. 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 45 

And you shall be busy and have tasks to do. 

And live in my heart and not live in a shoe. 

And all through the year when the twilight is deep 
You’ll go through the world and read children to 
sleep. 

And you shall love children and they shall love you, 
And laugh with the children who lived in the shoe. 

Orphan Annie 

But how shall we go? Is the place far away? 
Santa Claus 

The place is quite far but out there is my sleigh. 
With Snowflake and Whitefur and Crystal and 
Dew, 

The reindeer, with sleighbells that jingle for you! 
[, Jingling of bells heard without . ] 

Cinderella 

We have no furs to wear. 

Santa Claus 
I have lots of them there. 

Piper's Tom 

Where are they? 

Santa Claus 


In my sleigh. 


46 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Children 

Hip hurray! 

[Children dart out of door. Santa Claus 
chuckles and sits in settee waiting. ] 

Santa Claus 

Oh, what jolly good fun. 

For my work is all done. 

We’ll be home before break of the day. 

We’ll be off in a wink 

But I can’t help but think 

What my wife, Merry Christmas, will say! 

But we’ve worked all our lives and we’ve lived all 
alone, 

We need these ten children to love as our own. 
[Enter Children dressed in caps, coats, mit- 
tens and furs. Santa Claus rises and stands 
while they crowd about him.] 

Santa Claus 
Are you ready to go? 

Margery Daw 
We’ve been out in the snow. 

Orphan Annie 

We found mittens and caps and warm clothes. 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 47 


Santa Claus 
You look snug and so nice. 

We’ll be off in a trice. 

See how bright the moon shines on the snows. 

[Santa Claus steps to window and opens it. 
Flood of light shows sleigh just outside. He 
pushes Children before him through opened 
windows .] 

Santa Claus 
Now be in with you quick! 

Children 

Are you really Saint Nick? 

Santa Claus 

[ While Children are taking their places in 
sleigh .] 

Yes, I am. Snuggle down. Mind your toes, 

For it’s frosty tonight. 

Are you tucked in all right? 

[ All Children are snuggled in the sleigh. 
Face of Topsy appears at open window and 
grins.] 

Topsy 

I’se sure glad I got soot up mah nose! 

[Santa Claus flings pack over his shoulder 
and makes exit after turning out light. Takes 
seat in sleigh .] 


48 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Santa Claus 

Come, Whitefur and Snowflake and Crystal and 
Dew. 

Home now with the Children who lived in the 
shoe. 

[ Turns to Children.] 

And now, all together, with all of your might : 

{ Sings .] 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night! 
Children 

{Sing.’] 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good-night! 
{Sleigh moves off slowly with jingling of sleigh- 
bells. Miss Question Mark peers from 
corner by clock. Top of basket rises and head 
of Captain Kidd appears. Sleepy Head, 
Bluebeard and Old Woman look out from 
hiding places. In distance voice is heard again 
and all instantly disappear.] 

Santa Claus 

{In distance.] 

Now, then, all together, with all of your might: 
{Sings.] 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good-night! 


SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 49 


Children 
|\ Sing in distance.] 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good-night! 

[. Jingle of sleigh hells heard more faintly and 
finally dies away. Heads rise from hiding 
places as before. Miss Question Mark 
comes from recess and approaches center of 
stage. Sleepy Head comes from his chair 
and crosses to her.] 

Blue Beard 

Oh, Teacher dear, where were you hid? 

Sleepy Head 

And you never asked him what Columbus did ! 

[Stage immediately darkened. Sleepy Head 
resumes place in easy chair sound asleep. 
Clock strikes ten times. At the last stroke , 
French windows at right open and Sand Man 
stands with hour-glass suspended from out- 
stretched right arm. Clothes and cap covered 
with snowflakes. Lights show Sand Man 
and Sleepy Head in tableau.] 


50 SING A SONG OF SLEEPY HEAD 


Sand Man 

Song of the Sandman 

It’s ten o’clock and all is well. 

I hear the sound of the village bell. 

And children now are sleeping sound. 

I’ve seen them all and made my round. 

The lights are dim and the snow is deep. 

So sleep, my Children, sleep ! Sleep ! Sleep ! 

[ Tableau with Sand Man and Sleepy Head. 
Lights gradually dim and curtain falls .] 

END OF DREAM 



INTERLUDE 


[Scribe enters and reads before curtain.] 
Scribe 

That was the dream and I hope ’twas fun, 

But keep your seats for the play’s not done. 
There’s an after part of a different sort, 

But it can’t take long for it’s very short. 

We’ve had Preface and Prologue and Major Scene 
And rhymes we have read to you in between. 

The curtain will fall and then a pause, 

And then perhaps there will be applause. 

And if there are children like those in the shoe, 
We’ve tried to show you what Saint Nick would do. 
He’d hug them tight till their hearts were light, 
And we hope you may — and now, Good-night. 

[ Returns to wings , turns and says.] 

Now don’t forget — the play’s not o’er! 

The book of it calls for one scene more ! 

[ Exit Scribe.] 


51 


EPILOGUE 

[Scene as at opening of Dream . Sleepy Head 
asleep in chair as before. Sleepy Head’s 
Mother enters from door at left. Looks 
about, sees Sleepy Head in his easy chair , 
smiles and crosses stage, picks him up atid re- 
crosses stage with him in her arms. As she 
crosses stage Sleepy Head stirs restlessly .] 

Sleepy Head 

I’m awfully sleepy! Please turn out the light! 
Good-night, Mister Sand Man. I thank you. Good- 
night! 

[Exit Mother with Sleepy Head, through 
door left.~\ 

CURTAIN AND FINIS 


52 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN 
SWANS 





ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 

I 

Asleep on the Sands 

This is the tale of Isabel, 

A girl I knew, Oh, very well, 

Who went alone one Summer day 
Upon the sunny sands to play, 

Beside the ocean, big and blue, 

As little children love to do. 

And this is how she fell asleep 
Beside the sea, so blue and deep, 

And went to visit with a Queen 
Whom she had never, never seen, 

Upon an island far away, 

More wonderful than I could say. 

She saw the strangest sights that she 
Or you or I could hope to see, 

55 


56 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


Such sights as fill one with surprise 
And make us open wide our eyes. 

And she found something that was hid 
A thousand years, but how she did 
I must not tell you till it’s time 
Which is the ending of this rhyme. 

So in beginning let me say 
She fell asleep that Summer day 
Upon the sands, and we will then 
Begin the story right again. 

II 

Afloat with the Swans 

When Isabel awoke: “Dear me!” 

She cried, “I’m far, far out at sea, 

For land is neither here nor there, 

Just water, water everywhere!” 

She looked, and, lo! she was afloat 
In such a very tiny boat 
It seemed the merest speck to be 
Far out upon the great, blue sea, 

And four white swans in harness drew 
This strange craft o’er the waters blue. 
“Dear me!” cried Isabel, “Dear me! 
How came I here far out at sea? 

I fell asleep, I did I know, 

Upon the sand not long ago, 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 57 


And now I’m very far from there, 

And bound I’m sure I don’t know where, 
Upon the deep blue sea afloat 
In such a very tiny boat. 

And if a storm comes up at sea, 

Whatever will become of me?” 

III 

On the Deep Blue Sea 

She rubbed her eyes again — it seemed 
To her as though she must have dreamed, 
But no — there were the swans who sped 
Swift through the water just ahead. 

The sun above was noonday high, 
Nowhere a cloud in all the sky, 

No sign of storm was anywhere, 

And Oh, so fresh and cool the air! 

“I never knew,” said Isabel 
“That swans could draw a boat so well, 
But Oh, I wish, I wish I knew 
Where we are bound, indeed I do!” 

IV 

The Naval Dolphin 

Just then she heard a splash beside 
The boat, and looked and there she spied 
A Dolphin in the water blue, 

Who tipped his cap, as Dolphins do. 


58 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


“Good day to you, dear Isabel, 

I hope I see you very well,” 

He said in such a friendly way, 

“I think we’ll have a pleasant day. 

And while in this small boat you ride, 

If you don’t mind I’ll float beside 
Lest you be lonesome on the sea, 

Quite all alone except for me.” 

V 

The Fear of Sharks 

“I’m sure,” said Isabel, “I’ll be 
Right glad to have your company. 

I’m not accustomed, Sir, to roam 
In this strange way so far from home. 

I’ve seen you in my picture books, 

And I have always liked your looks, 

But never did I dream to be 
In your distinguished company. 

I’m very glad that you are you 
And not a shark I’m talking to, 

For he might eat my boat, you see, 

My four white swans and even me !” 

VI 

The Queen’s Admiral 

“Oh no!” the Dolphin cried. “You’ll be 
Quite safe from harm when you’re with me. 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 59 


For all the fish and things that swim 
Are subject to my slightest whim. 

The fierce and harmless, great and small, 
The sharks and whales, I rule them all,” 
And as he spoke, from his great fin 
A flag with starry emblems in 
Went fluttering out. “You see,” said he, 
I’m flagship of the Queen’s Navy, 

I’m Admiral in sole command, 

And you are safe, when I’m at hand, 
Wherever on the sea you roam, 

As though you were in bed at home.” 

VII 

The Starry Flag 

He spoke with such an air of pride, 

And Isabel was open-eyed 
To see the flag, all blue and white 
That fluttered in the noonday light. 

“Sir Admiral,” she said, “I’d be 
Right glad if in my boat with me 
I might invite you, but I fear 
There’s only room for me in here.” 

She took a ribbon from her hair 
And tied it to the prow: “Now there!” 
She cried as it went streaming out 
And fluttered in the breeze about, 


60 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


“There is a banner, as you see, 

And now you’re in command of me!” 

VIII 

The Flying Fish 

The Dolphin bowed, a stately bow, 

As only Admirals know how, 

A gallant Admiral was he 
As ever sailed the briny sea; 

Forthwith he hailed a Flying Fish, 
And bade him to come near: “I wish, 
Sir Messenger,” he said, “that you 
Would haste across the waters blue, 
And tell the Queen that Isabel 
Is on her way, both safe and well. 

Tell her Sir Dolphin will command 
Her craft until it reaches land, 

And she may be of right good-cheer, 
Nor need she have a single fear; 

For all these years I’ve trod the deck, 
I’ve never had a single wreck.” 

IX 

The Queen's Messenger 

The Flying Fish politely tipped 
His cap and from the gunwale slipped, 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 61 

Whizzed like a rocket through the air 
The message to the Queen to bear. 

“I think that now you will agree 
That all the creatures of the sea 
Obey me when I give the word,” 

The Dolphin said, “for you have heard 
The way I spoke and seen the way 
He came and hastened to obey.” 

“It’s very wonderful,” said she, 

“I did not think such things could be.” 

X 

Isabel Is Curious 

“Sir Admiral,” said Isabel, 

“I like this journey very well; 

I’m not a sailor bold, like you, 

Born to command a ship and crew, 

But since you came here to direct 

This cruise, I’m sure we’ll not be wrecked. 

And when you are within my call 
I will not be afraid at all. 

But tell me how I came to be 
Far out here on this briny sea, 

For Oh, Kind Sir, I’d like to know 
How came I here and where I go. 

And these white swans, who draw my boat, 
How came they, too, to be afloat 


62 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


With me, and who gave you the news 
Of me and sent you on this cruise?” 

XI 

The Dolphin smiled and shook his head: 
“The Queen will tell you that,” he said. 
“She gives us our commands each day 
And we have only to obey. 

The swansj I don’t mind telling you, 
Are part and parcel of my crew 
Of Naval Aides — the boat they brought 
Her Majesty’s own private yacht; 

And she gave orders that we go 
And bring you — that is all we know. 
Long since have we all learned to ask 
No questions, but to do the task 
She may direct, and that, you know 
Is why she trusts her Navy sol” 

XII 

Isabel Has a Nap 

Said Isabel, “You will agree 
It’s all mysterious to me; 

I trust you will not think me quite 
Inquisitive or impolite, 

But since I am not used to roam 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 63 


In this strange way, so far from home, 

It is no wonder I should be 
Quite full of curiosity. 

In all my life I never yet 
Have broken rules of etiquette; 

So I beg pardon if I broke 
A naval rule when thus I spoke. 

So now if you will steer my boat 
And keep my swans and me afloat, 

I’ll lie down quietly — mayhap 
’Twill do me good to get a nap. 

XIII 

The Journey’s End 

She slept — how long I do not know, 

But heard Sir Dolphin cry: “Land ho!” 
As Naval Dolphins always do 
Whenever there is land in view. 

She saw tall palm trees waving high 
Against the very blue of sky, 

And when Sir Dolphin raised a cheer 
She knew their journey’s end was near. 

“I trust,” the Dolphin said, “they’ll do 
The highly proper thing for you, 

And send at least a Commodore 
To welcome you and me to shore.” 


64 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


XIV 

The Commodore Whale 

“I see,” said Isabel, “a sail.” 

“Yes,” said the Dolphin, “that’s Sir Whale, 

I was quite sure I saw him pass 

The harbor entrance through my glass. 

You would not think,” the Dolphin said, 

“A whale could stand upon his head 
Or balance sidewise on one fin, 

But that’s what we call discipline.” 

“Ahoy, Sir Whale!” the Dolphin cfied. 
“Ahoy! Ahoy!” the Whale replied, 

And with a spout of water blew 
A great salute and then hove to. 

“First exercise!” the Dolphin said: 

The Whale stood forthwith on his head, 

His great tail pointing to the sky, 

Full fifty or more fathoms high. 

“Now,” said the Dolphin, “should he drop 
That mighty bulk of his atop 
Of any craft, you plainly see 
That his would be the victory, 

For with that sharp, uplifted fin 
He’d stave the stoutest vessel in, 

Until its seams wye gaping wide, 

And sink it in the briny tide.” 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 65 

“Yes, yes,” said Isabel, “I see — 

Pray do not bid him fall on me, 

For I confess I never saw 
A Whale that filled me so with awe.” 

“You never saw a Whale before 
Who was a naval Commodore,” 

The Dolphin said with dignity, 

“He learned maneuvering from me.” 


XV 

Isabel Sees the Queen 

The Whale with flying banners led 
The way, the four great white swans sped 
Behind, and in the briny tide 
Sir Dolphin swam along beside. 

“The Queen awaits,” the Dolphin said, 

“I see the crown upon her head, 

And all her ministers are near 
To bid you happy welcome here.” 

“I wish,” said Isabel, “I knew 
Just what’s the thing for me to do 
When I step out upon the shore, 

I never met a Queen before.” 


66 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


XVI 

Lord Fox Appears 

“This is Lord Fox,” the Dolphin said; 
Lord Fox was gaily dressed in red, 


And he took Isabel’s right hand 
As she stepped out upon the land. 



“I am the Queen’s Prime Minister,” 
Lord Fox said, as he bowed to her, 
With grave and stately courtesy. 


“Her Majesty bade me to be 
In waiting and to welcome you 
As it delights me now to do.” 

XVII 

The Kind Queen 
Before the Queen they both stood now 
And Lord Fox made his gravest bow. 
While Isabel dropped on one knee 
Before her gracious Majesty. 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 

“Arise, my dear, I wish you well,” 

The Queen said then to Isabel, 

“I’m very glad you came, my dear, 

For I am often lonesome here 
With only foxes, geese and hares, 

Whales, dolphins, tigers, lions and bears, 
And while they love me, as you see, 

I do need human company.” 


XVIII 

The Queen's Cabinet 

“Excuse me, dear,” she said, “if yet 
You have not met my cabinet. 

Lord Fox, you know, and from his eye 
You will observe he’s very sly; 

But slyness is a trait, you know, 

Of great Prime Ministers, and so 
I need his counsel if I mean 
To be a quite successful Queen. 

As for the rest — Sir Lion there, 

Sir Owl, Sir Tiger and Sir Bear, 

And many more, some later day 
You’ll meet them in a formal way.” 

“You will observe I call them ‘Sir’,” 

The Queen said, half aside, to her, 

“It’s such a little thing, you see, 

But thrills them with much dignity.” 


67 


68 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


XIX 

The Bear Policeman 

Sir Bear approached the Queen, all dressed 
In blue brass-buttoned coat and vest, 

With yellow trousers, piped with red, 



And a brass helmet on his head. 
About his waist a belt he wore 
With brilliant buckles, back and fore; 
He shouted many a gruff command, 
And swung a great club in his hand 
To show the crowds about that he 
Was one in high authority. 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 69 


XX 

A Stout Old Chap 

‘‘Sir Bear is my policeman,” said 
The Queen, who smiled and bowed her head. 
“He’s such a stout old chap and gruff 
I cannot praise him half enough. 

At night you’ll see him marching by 
My palace with his watchful eye, 

On every being round about 
Until the lights are all put out. 

He’s very proud of his great coat 
And helmet, as perchance you note, 

And if you’re ever out at night 
’Twere well to keep Sir Bear in sight, 

For at the slightest sign of harm 
You’ll have at hand his strong right arm 
Of which my subjects, far and near, 

Stand always in right wholesome fear.” 


XXI 

The Queen's Carriage 

Now drew the Queen’s state carriage near, 
Drawn by six graceful, milk-white deer. 

Sir Bear cried gruff commands and loud, 

And made way for it through the crowd. 


70 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


The carriage was all gold and white 
That gleamed and glittered in the light. 
The wheels were made of pearl and shell, 
Much handsomer than I can tell. 

XXII 

The Snail Coachman 

Sir Lion and Sir Tiger rode 
As footmen with them, in the mode 
Of kings and queens, and on the box 
Where sat the driver rode Lord Fox. 

“You will no doubt be quite surprised 
To find wild beasts so civilized,” 

The Queen observed, “but have no fear, 
Sir Lion and Sir Tiger here 
I’ve trusted time and time again 
And find them perfect gentlemen. 

They get enough to eat, you see, 

So there’s no need of eating me. 

And if they harmed me, on the spot 
They’d be, as traitors should be — shot. 

You see, Sir Bear thinks to provide 
Eight Bears as escort on each side, 

So I’m as safe as Queen can be, 

Each has his musket, as you see. 

And Snail, the driver on the box 
Who sits in front there with Lord Fox, 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 71 

Is very careful, for you know 
A Snail’s proverbially slow, 

And that is how he comes to be 
The coachman to my Majesty, 

I do not wish at all to wreck 
My coach and break my precious neck.” 

XXIII 

The Queen is Amused 
“It’s all so strange,” said Isabel, 

“And yet I like it very well, 

Although I feel a little queer 
With all these animals so near. 

I saw a lion once before 

And tiger too, and heard them roar, 

When I was at a tender age, 

But they were in a circus cage. 

But never did I think to ride 
With one of each of them outside. 

I should dislike to have,” said she 
“One of the two outside of me.” 

And then the Queen laughed till a tear 
Rolled down her cheek. “Oh, dear! Oh, dear!” 
She cried, “I have not laughed before 
Like that in quite a year or more. 

I would not ever once have guessed 
You’d make me such a splendid jest. 

But I must have a care,” she sighed, 

“A queen must be so dignified!” 


72 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


XXIV 

The Lamplighter Giraffe 

’Twas getting dusk and now the lights 
Came on as they will do o’nights. 

“Look out, my dear,” the Queen observed 
“And you will see how I am served: 

The street lamps there so tall and bright 
Are lighted promptly every night 
By Sir Giraffe, whose height is such 
He does not need a ladder much. 

He marches east, west, north and south 
With lighted tapers in his mouth 
And without any noise or fuss 
He lights our gas lamps all for us. 

And equally with ease about 
The peep of dawn he turns them out. 

So I’ve appointed him to be 
Lamplighter to my Majesty. 

No one giraffe you’ve ever seen 
Who was lamplighter to a queen, 

I’m very sure,” the Queen declared. 

“I never, never should have dared 
To dream that such a thing could be,” 
Cried Isabel, surprisedly, 

As she looked out upon the street 
Where the Giraffe strode on his beat 









\ 



























ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 75 


And with his taper burning bright 
Set every gas lamp soon alight. 

“Giraffes would never do at all 
For housework, since they are so tall, 
They’d be quite apt to bump their ears 
And knock down all the chandeliers. 
Sometimes I use them though to clean 
The outside windows,” said the Queen. 
“For they can reach three stories high 
With sponge and brush and not half try. 

Be sure you never try to chaff 
An old and dignified giraffe, 

They’re so stiff-necked and that is why 
They hold their heads so very high.” 


XXV 

The Jeweled Elephants 

They neared the Palace, gleaming white, 
Ablaze from roof to ground with light. 
Two mighty elephants swung wide 
The massive gates on either side, 

Then knelt, each on a bended knee, 

In homage to her Majesty. 

Both their great trunks uplifted were, 

To form an archway over her. 


76 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


Each wore a gorgeous robe of red, 
Embroidered with rich golden thread, 
While their white tusks were all aflame 
With gems of every size and name. 
And every color, tint and hue 
That sparkled red and green and blue. 



“I’ll wager you have never seen 
Such tusks as those,” declared the Queen, 
“I had them set with precious gems 
To sparkle just like diadems. 

A jeweled elephant, you know, 

Is something few real Queens can show. 
Indeed, it’s something that I doubt 
If many Queens have thought about.” 

“I’d like to see them very well 
In a parade,” said Isabel, 

“But I suppose with thieves about 
Someone might pry the gems all out.” 

“That’s why they never go outside 
The palace grounds,” the Queen replied. 
“For tusks like those are very rare 
And worth a fortune everywhere.” 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 77 


XXVI 

The Giant Fireflies 

They passed the gates and wound about 
The gravelled roadway, in and out, 

Where giant fireflies at play 
Made everything as light as day. 

“I love the soft and gentle light 
Of giant fireflies by night,” 

The Queen observed. “You see, by day 
We keep them safely put away, 

And then at night we let them out 
Among the trees and all about 
They dart and light my grounds for me, 

Oh, very economically! 

As you will see, they’re very tame 
And I know all of them by name.” 

She put her jeweled finger through 

The carriage window, quick there flew 

A firefly and lighted there 

And cast so bright and red a glare 

That Isabel in her surprise 

Put both hands up before her eyes. 

“How large it is,” cried Isabel. 

“That is because we feed them well,” 

The Queen replied. “We’ve come to know 
The more they eat the more they glow. 


78 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


You can’t expect much light, say I, 

From any half-starved firefly.” 

XXVII 

The Queen's Palace 

They reached the Palace door and now 
Lord Fox made them his gravest bow, 

And helped them down; the door swung wide 
And Isabel walked in beside 
The Queen, who shut the Palace door 
And threw her crown upon the floor. 

“I’m sure you’re hungry, dear,” said she, 

“So let us have a cup of tea, 

A bit of meat and plate of bread 
Before it’s time to go to bed.” 

XXVIII 

The Grave Storks 

She touched a bell, as queens may do, 

And two Grave Storks walked slowly through 
The room and laid the table soon 
With cloth and silver, cup and spoon. 

They spread the cloth smooth with their wings 
And in their bills brought many things 
Such as a queen might have for tea, 

Then stood and waited patiently. 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 79 


Upon each little feathered head 
A dainty cap of lace was spread, 
And each one at the serving bore 
A tiny apron down before. 



“The Stork is such a solemn bird,” 

The Queen said as she deftly stirred 
A lump of sugar in her tea. 

“He lends an air of dignity 
To every simple meal he serves. 

See how he quietly observes 
My slightest need — no butler could 
Excel these birds in serving food.” 

The Storks watched all the time they ate, 
Laid sandwiches upon each plate, 

And moved so stilly in and out 
You would not know they were about. 
And when the meal was done they cleared 
The table soon and disappeared. 



80 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


XXIX 

Isabel Grows Tired 

“And now, my dear,” observed the Queen, 
“You’re very tired, that’s plainly seen, 
You’ve come by land and sea so far 
I do not wonder that you are. 

So I will send you off to bed 
Where you may rest your little head 
Upon the pillow through the night 
And be tomorrow fresh and bright. 

My maid, the Goose, will light the way, 

Up to the chamber, so I’ll say 
Good-night, and may the bright moon’s beams 
Bring you sweet rest and happy dreams.” 


XXX 

A Wonderful Day 

“Good-night, dear Queen,” said Isabel. 
“I do not know you very well, 

But this much I do want to say, 

I’ve had a splendid time today. 

I never, never thought to see 
A Naval Dolphin such as he, 

Nor did I ever see before 
A Whale who was a Commodore. 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 81 


Lord Fox was more than twice polite, 

Sir Bear made such a splendid sight 
In his bright uniform of blue, 

And yellow, — he was pleasant too. 

Sir Lion and Sir Tiger were 
So kind I almost heard them purr, 

And your state carriage was so queer, 

And quaint with its six milk-white deer. 
Your coachman Snail, sedate and slow 
Made me not once afraid. And, Oh! 

My friends at home will think I chaff 
When I tell of the tall Giraffe, 

The only one I’ve ever seen 
Who was lamplighter to a Queen. 

The jeweled Elephants, how bright 
Their great tusks sparkled in the light. 

The giant Fireflies, how they glow 
And glitter and fly to and fro. 

And, last of all, the storks, so grave, 

Who served the tea for us and gave 

Me sandwiches and cakes and things 

And brushed the crumbs off with their wings. 

It’s all so wonderful I seem 
To have been walking in a dream, 

So if you’ll kiss me, Queen,” she said 
“I think I’d better go to bed.” 


82 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


XXXI 

The Housemaid Goose 

So then the Goose came tripping down 
The stair, in housemaid’s cap and gown, 
With a great candlestick and marched 
Up the great stairway primly starched 
And white as snow; she held the door 
While Isabel walked in before 
To the bed-chamber snowy white 
Where she would lie to sleep that night. 

Maid Goose turned down the counterpane, 
Fluffed both the pillows up again, 

When she had first set down the light, 

Then turned and gravely said: “Good-night!” 

“What will they think?” mused Isabel, 
“When I go back sometime and tell 
How once a Goose-maid, starched and white 
Put me in bed and said ‘Good-night.’ ” 

And while her wonder still was deep 
She closed her eyes and fell asleep. 

XXXII 

The Stork Brings Breakfast 

When Isabel awoke again 

She heard the little clock strike ten; 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 83 


“Dear me !” she cried, “I fear I kept 
The breakfast waiting while I slept. 

She sprang from bed and quickly dressed 
Refreshed by such a splendid rest, 

And then she heard a rap once more 
Upon her white bed-chamber door, 

And when she opened it there stood 
A Stork with rolls and breakfast food 
And other dainties on a tray, 

Arranged in such a tempting way, 

“You’re very, very kind,” she cried, 
“You’re welcome, dear,” the Stork replied, 
“And when you’ve done, just ring the bell. 
I hope you rested very well. 

Her Majesty, the Queen, presents 
Her very kindest compliments, 

And bids you forth to jolly fun 
Whatever time your breakfast’s done.” 

“Pray tell the Queen I wish her well, 

I’ll come straight down,” said Isabel. 

XXXIII 

The Dancing Turtles 

The Queen sat underneath a tree 
Upon a rustic throne, where she 
Made room for Isabel beside 
Her, for the throne was very wide. 


84 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


Before her in the sunny grass 
She watched a score of turtles pass 
With measured tread and very slow, 

The way that turtles always go. 

The shell each wore upon his back 
Was polished such a lustrous black, 

It shone like purest ebony, 

Such turtles as you seldom see. 

Each turtle, too, was gaily bound 
With satin ribbons twice around 
From front to back and side to side, 

And in the middle they were tied 
Into a quite enormous bow. 

“I had them decorated so 
Because I like bright colors well,” 

The Queen observed to Isabel. 

“And now,” she said, “you have a chance 
To see a score of turtles dance, 

Upon the soft and sunny green, 

A sight that’s very seldom seen.” 

“I never knew,” said Isabel, 

“A turtle with that heavy shell 
Could dance at all. I’ve seen them made, 
In soup but never on parade. 

And turtles in a soup tureen 
Could never dance upon the green.” 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 85 

“Quite right you are,” the Queen observed, 
“But ones like these are never served 
In soup because they chance to be 
The Dancing Turtles, don’t you see, 

A kind that’s very, very rare 
And not discovered everywhere.” 


XXXIV 

The Strange Quartet 

Now with a quiet step and slow 
Two cats, a magpie and a crow 
Came down from the white palace door 
And perched upon a rail before 
The Queen and Isabel, and soon 
Struck up a queer and plaintive tune. 

“Some think their singing is so queer, 

But I confess I like to hear 
The songs they sing,” the Queen declared, 
“No time or effort has been spared 
To make their singing voices all 
Harmonious and classical. 

That cats have voices and the crow 
And magpie, as you surely know, 

There never was a bit of doubt, 

The trouble is to bring them out.” 


86 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


XXXV 

A Turtle Dance 

Now all the turtles in the crowd 
Of turtles rose and gravely bowed, 

To left and right about and soon 
Were gaily tripping to the tune. 

They marched by twos and marched by threes, 
Their ribbons fluttering in the breeze, 

They circled in and circled out, 

Upon the greensward roundabout. 

They danced the dances Isabel 

Had learned to dance, and danced them well, 

With neither awkwardness nor faults, 

The schottische, polka, glide and waltz. 

“It’s quite refreshing,” said the Queen 
“To see them dancing on the green, 

Because it helps me bear the weight 
Of my great crown and cares of state.” 

“I’ve seen trained dogs and cats as well, 

And seals and bears,” said Isabel, 

“I’ve seen a dog turn somersaults, 

But never saw a turtle waltz. 

I wish my friends at home could be 
Here on the palace grounds with me, 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 87 


And see these turtles dance. Just think, 
Their shells are polished black as ink, 
With streaming ribbons back and fore, 

And tripping gaily by the score.” 

“It only shows,” the Queen replied, 

“What we could all do if we tried, 

In making turtles glad all through 
Instead of making them in stew.” 

XXXVI 

Doctor Wise Owl's School 

“Now,” said the Queen, “it is my rule 
To visit Doctor Wise Owl’s school. 

It’s right out in the open air, 

And we have desks and schoolbooks there, 
And slates and blackboards — all of these 
Beneath the boughs of leafy trees. 

Of Doctor Owl you may have heard, 

He’s such a very wise old bird, 

So full of knowledge that I doubt 
If it could keep from oozing out. 

He’s taught so long he knows the trick 
Of teaching cats arithmetic, 

And other animals as well. 

They learn from him to parse and spell, 
Draw pictures of a flower or tree 
And do real hand embroidery. 


88 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


He teaches parrots how to speak 
French, German, Spanish, Latin, Greek, 
For he has in his wise old head 
All languages alive and dead. 

And you may wonder what’s the use 
Of mathematics to a goose, 

Or complex fractions to a cat 
But Doctor Owl decides all that. 

Why teach a dog a silly trick 
When he might learn arithmetic, 

Or have him stand upon his head 
When he might learn to spell instead? 

You will be much surprised,” she cried, 
“To see one add two columns wide, 

And when that simple task is through 
To put down one and carry two. 

Why have a pig squeal under gates 
When he might better name the States? 
And all our animals must be 
Much better for geography. 

For then each one can tell his name, 

And also from what land he came, 

And if he should get lost could then 
Take steps to get back home again.” 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 89 


XXXVII 

The Spelling Dog 

“I never knew a dog to spell, 

Although I’ve known some very well,” 

Said Isabel. “That’s, as a rule, 

Because they’ve never gone to school,” 

The Queen replied. “When they want cake 
Or bones or things we always make 
Them spell it out — it’s sometimes slow 
But thus we find how much they know.” 

XXXVIII 

The Animal School 

Now they both came where they could see 
A hollow in a great oak tree, 

And in the hollow, grave and wise, 

Sat Doctor Owl. His, big, round eyes 
Through great horn-spectacles looked out, 
Upon his pupils round about. 

The desks were placed in rows on rows 
Straight down in front of his hooked nose, 
And in the seats before him sat 
The Crow, the Monkey and the Cat. 

The Pig, the Ostrich and the Hare, 

The Dog, the Lion and the Bear. 

And every kind of beast and bird 
Of which you ever, ever heard. 


90 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


XXXIX 

The Ciphering Pig 

“The pig is at the blackboard now, 

So watch him close and you’ll see how 
He learns to cipher,” said the Queen, 

“Few persons that I know have seen 
A pig up to the blackboard walk 
And cipher with a piece of chalk.” 

Then Doctor Wise Owl turned to look 
Inside the covers of his book: 

“How much are one and two?” said he. 

The pig as quickly grunted: “Three 1” 

And with a crayon set it down 
As you would do at school in town. 

“Quite right!” said Doctor Owl. “Quite right!” 
I see you’ve studied over night, 

Tomorrow I will have you do 
The greater sum of two and two.” 

XL 

The Stupid Goose 

“Aha, you have the same excuse,” 

Said Doctor Wise Owl to the Goose. 

“Each time I give you sums to do 
You say they are too hard for you. 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 

And always give the same excuse, 

That you can’t learn since you’re a goose. 
The trouble is you like to roam 
And will not take your schoolbooks home, 
And you play hookey often, too, 

To go in swimming — yes, you do ! 

You and the brown duck ran away 
And went in swimming yesterday, 

For see — beneath your wings how wet 
The feathers there are, even yet. 

So put the dunce cap on your head!” 

“I am a dunce,” the dunce cap said, 

In big, black letters. “Such a scene 
Is well worth seeing,” said the Queen. 

“The Goose is quite a stupid bird,” 

Said Isabel. “I’ve often heard, 

But never did I know they wore 
A dunce cap with such words before; 

I’d think he’d simply die of shame 
To wear a dunce cap with his name.” 


XLI 

The Parrot Class 

Next came the parrots, red and green; 
“The Reading Class,” observed the Queen, 
“They love to read their lessons right 
And learn with verses to recite. 


91 


92 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


I think you’ll be much pleased to hear 
The parrot class recite, my dear, 

I often sit here while they do 
And get much pleasure from it, too.” 

The Parrots perched upon a rail 
All balanced nicely, head and tail, 

And waited Doctor Wise Owl’s word 
Before one of them spoke or stirred. 

“Green Parrot, please!” the Wise Owl said, 
Green Parrot promptly raised his head 
And read a poem loud and clear 
Too long for me to set down here. 

And hardly needed once to look 
Upon the pages of his book. 

“How well he reads,” said Isabel. 

“I could not read it half as well.” 
“Sometimes when I can’t sleep at night 
I have him read me or recite 
Some fairy stories and his deep 
Voice puts me quickly sound asleep,” 
Explained the Queen to Isabel, 

“He loves those fairy tales so well 
I often find him in a nook 
Of my bedchamber with a book.” 

Then all the parrots one by one 
Read till the reading class was done, 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 

And words they did not know right well 
The Owl made them pronounce and spell. 
And afterwards he made them speak 
Some words in Latin and in Greek 
To show how learned and how wise 
A parrot can be if he tries. 

“It’s wonderful how much they know,” 

Cried Isabel. “Quite so! Quite so!” 

Agreed the Queen. “They never squawk 
With simple parrot baby talk 
Like ‘Polly wants a cracker, please.’ 

And then repeat their A B C’s. 

They read big books, as you can see 
Whose words might puzzle you and me.” 

XLII 

The Timid Mouse 

The timid mouse sat in the grass, 

The smallest pupil in the class, 

And when he came up to recite 
He shivered dismally with fright, 

To see the Great Cat watching him 
With eyes all red around the rim. 

The Wise Owl saw the hungry look: 

“You pay attention to your book,” 

He said severely to the cat, 

“We’ve all had quite enough of that.” 


93 


94 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


He quieted the mouse’s fears 
By boxing both the Great Cat’s ears. 
‘‘Stop licking your two front feet, please, 
They smell suspiciously like cheese,” 

The Owl said to the Mouse. “The rule 
Is not to nibble cheese in school, 

A rule, it seems yon never learned, 

For every time my back is turned 
I find you nibbling cheese and rind, 

No wonder you are much behind 
In all your studies — you may stay 
An hour after school each day, 

And for each time you’ve nibbled cheese 
Today, repeat your A B C’s.” 

XLIII 

The Black Bear Cooks 

“The Black Bear makes a splendid cook,” 
The Queen said then. “And if you look 
You’ll see a class of them snap beans, 
Prepare potatoes, peas and greens. 

You see they wear white coats and caps 
And hold their tin pans in their laps, 

To snap the beans in or to slice 
Potatoes to be crisp and nice. 

Instead of having idle bears 

We teach them to sweep down the stairs, 

To put the pots and kettles on, 

Scrub kitchen floors and mow the lawn. 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 95 

“I’m sure not very many queens 
Have ever seen a bear string beans,” 

Said Isabel, “or learn to cook 
Such things correctly from a book.” 

“Most bears have never had a chance, 

The most they’ve learned is how to dance,” 
Replied the Queen, “or growl in pits, 

And make a living by their wits. 

But you can see quite plainly now 
A bear can cook if he learns howl” 

XLIV 

School Out 

Now school was out, the lessons through, 

And all the pupils, two by two, 

Went marching forth, the Pig, the Bear, 

The Lion, the Monkey and the Hare. 

The Camel and the Elephant, 

The Mouse, the Squirrel and the Ant. 

The Reindeer and the Kangaroo, 

The Dog, the Tiger and the Gnu, 

And many others, great and small 
Till you could scarcely count them all. 

Then Doctor Wise Owl blinked his eyes : 

“It’s very tiresome being wise,” 

He said and blinked his eyes again. 

Gave a great sleepy yawn and then 
Fell sound asleep as he could be 
In the great hollow of the tree. 


96 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


XLV 

Isabel Asks a Question 

“Good Queen, I wish,” said Isabel 
“If it’s no secret you might tell 
How all these wonders came to be 
That here on every hand I see. 

Why Turtles dance, how Pigs may talk 
And cipher with a bit of chalk, 

How Storks and Geese so deftly serve, 
Why Lions speak — all I observe 
Is such a puzzling thing, you see, 

Unless you solve the mystery. 

XLVI 

The Queen's Story 

“One time a thousand years ago, 

Or maybe more for all I know,” 

The Queen said, as they rose and walked 
Far in the green wood while they talked, 
“A king lived in this very land 
With courtiers on every hand, 

Who had a daughter, sweet and fair, 
With deep blue eyes and golden hair, 

So beautiful we’ll never see 
Another Princess such as she. 

One day a Prince, so brave and tall, 

Rode straight up to the Palace wall, 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 97 


With his retainers and he fell 
In love with Princess Isabel, 

And she loved him as well they say, 

And they were wed that very day.” 

XLVII 

The Witch's Spell 

“Her name was just the same as mine,” 
Cried Isabel, with eyes a-shine. 

“Yes,” said the Queen, and now you know 
The reason that I love you so. 

But listen now and I will tell 
How the Brave Prince and Isabel 
Were cast beneath a spell, they say, 

Upon their very wedding day. 

How the great kingdom fell apart, 

How the king grieved and broke his heart, 
And evil came upon the land, 

That once had been so great and grand. 

XLVII I 

The Prince's Wedding Day 

“It was a wondrous wedding day,” 

The Queen went on “and all was gay 
The merriest they’d ever seen, 

The children danced upon the green, 


98 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


And a great wedding feast was spread 
Beneath the blue sky overhead. 

The king sent riders everywhere 
To bid his subjects all be there, 

Because the good king loved them all, 
The rich and poor and great and small.” 

XLIX 

The Black Witch 

“But in this very wood we tread 
Lived a Black Witch, with eyes all red, 
Who brewed by night a poison brew 
In a great pot as witches do. 

Her nose was like a vulture’s bill, 

Her face was dark and full of ill, 

And if you saw her out at night 
Her eyes shone with a flaming light 
As though she had live coals instead 
Of eyes like we have in her head 
And she would brew till the foul steam 
Rose from the pot, and sit and scream 
All through the night until she made 
The very birds and beasts afraid.” 

L 

The Poison Brew 

“When the king’s riders went to cry 
The wedding feast, they passed her by 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 99 

And then she screamed as witches do 
With rage and stirred the poison brew 
And muttered vengeance on them all 
Before that very night should fall. 

So when the wedding feast was spread, 

The Prince came smiling out and led 
The Princess by the hand, his queen, 

And all sat down upon the green. 

Just then two pages rolled a cask 
Of gold, which was no easy task, 

Upon the green and set it up 
Before them with a golden cup. 

“The Fairy Bountiful did ask 
Us two to roll the golden cask 
Up to the wedding feast,” they cried, 

“It has a gold cup on its side, 

And Fairy wine within and who 
Shall drink it while the sky is blue 
Shall have good fortune and ’twill bless 
Each day with joy and happiness.” 

So then they drank — each lifted qp 
Filled with the wine, the golden cup. 

Alas! Alas! They never knew 
It was the witch’s poison brew. 

For she had sent the cask of gold, 

And the two pages who had rolled 
The cask up to the feast were sprites, 

Who helped her stir the brew o’ nights. 


100 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


LI 

What the Black Witch Did 

And now there came a wondrous change 
Upon the scene, so weird and strange 
You would not think such things could be 
Unless you had been there to see. 

Each one who had come there to feast 
Became some kind of bird and beast, 

And in their horror and surprise 
Filled all the air with shrieks and cries. 

Some were turned into cackling fowls, 
Some into swans, some into owls, 

Some into mice and cats and ants 
Giraffes and bears and elephants. 

And every kind of bird 1 and beast 
From greatest to the very least. 

All but the King who sat apart 
And looked with heavy aching heart 
Upon his subjects, great and small, 

Saw birds and beasts and that was all. 
With anguish then aloud he cried 
And of a broken heart he died. 

And as his eldest daughter, down 
To me there came the robes and crown.” 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 101 


LI I 

“The Princess, Oh, did she fare well? 

I hope she did,” cried Isabel. 

The good Queen brushed away a tear: 
“Alas!” she cried, “not so, my dear! 

She and the Prince, as I have told, 
Became two swans with plumage gold, 
Whose fate it is to live until 
Some one shall break the spell of ill 
And by some magic set them free 
To be just as they used to be. 

A Prince and Princess, tall and fair, 

Each with blue eyes and golden hair.” 

“And will they never break the spell? 

I pray they do!” said Isabel. 

“I cannot say,” the Queen replied. 

“The Wicked Witch, before she died, 
Threw in the sea a golden shell, 

And that alone could break the spell. 

But who could hope to find?” said she, 
“One golden shell in all the sea?” 

LIII 

“The Golden Swans — Oh, Queen, I pray 
Will you not tell me where are they?” 
Cried Isabel, “I’d like to see 
Them if I might, dear Queen,” said she. 


102 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


“We’re going now,” the Queen replied, 

“To see them; on the water wide 
You’ll see them swim about as though 
Their own sad story they might know. 

And sometimes you will hear them sing, 

A sad and melancholy thing 

It is to hear, as though their wrongs 

And troubles they’d put into songs.” 

They came now to the sandy beach 
Where far as any eye could reach 
Was only water, blue and clear, 

And, lo ! the golden swans came near, 

Such pretty and such graceful things, 

With golden sides and back and wings. 

“Oh! Oh!” cried Isabel, “how bright 
Their plumage is in this clear light 
I never saw such swans before!” 

“In all the world there are no more 
I am quite sure,” the Queen replied, 

“The Black Witch made but two— and died!” 


LIV 

The Queen's Despair 

“I wish indeed,” said Isabel, 

“That I might find the Golden Shell, 
And break the evil spell at last 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 103 


The Wicked Black Witch on them cast.” 
“I wish you might,” the Queen replied, 
“For it would give the Prince his bride 
And such a kingdom you would see 
As I have told there used to be. 

With lords and ladies, gaily dressed 
To do their sovereign’s behest. 

And all these animals would be 
Such human folk and kind as we, 

The creatures you have met today 
Would cast their present shapes away 
And once again would all be well 
And merry as a marriage bell. 

But how can we expect,” said she, 

“To find one shell in all the sea?” 

So saying, with a weary sigh 
The Queen sank Qn a bench near by. 

“I think,” she said, “if you will keep 

Me watch a while I’ll go to sleep 

Upon the beach — I often do 

When all my queenly tasks are through.” 

“Oh, do!” said Isabel, “I pray 

For it is such a perfect day 

The grandest I have ever seen, 

And fit, I’m sure, for any queen.” 

And as she stayed a while and kept 
A watch, the Queen lay down and slept. 


104 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


LV 

The Melancholy Oyster 

Now while she watched the Queen near by 
She heard a queer and plaintive cry 
And then she heard the cry again 
As of some creature much in pain. 

And when she looked about to see 
What kind of creature it might be, 

An oyster on the beach she spied 
Washed up, perhaps, upon the tide. 

And from his cries he seemed to be 
The saddest oyster you could see 
Who groaned and groaned and groaned again 
As though he were in dreadful pain. 

While much to Isabel’s surprise 
Great tears fell fast from both his eyes, 

And then he spoke, and Isabel 
Was more surprised to hear how well, 

For words of speech quite seldom come 
From oysters, since they’re often dumb. 

LVI 

The Glorious Pearl 

“Pray what is wrong?” asked Isabel. 

“I have a pain inside my shell,” 


ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 105 


The melancholy oyster cried, 

“And since I cannot look inside 
My shell there is no way, you see, 

To find what may be wrong with me. 

I think perhaps my lunch or tea 
Somehow has disagreed with me, 

So will you look inside my shell?” 

“Indeed I will,” said Isabel. 

“Just turn a little on your side,” 

And as the oyster did she pried 
His shell apart and there she saw 
A pearl that filled her full of awe. 

It was so large and pure and white 
And shone so brightly in the light. 

LVII 

Isabel Finds the Golden Shell 

“Oh such a pearl!” cried Isabel, 

And took it from the oyster’s shell, 

But as she did it fell apart 
And there within its pearly heart 
She saw a tiny golden shell, 

Such as the Witch cast in her spell. 

She. took the shell within her hand, 

And then she saw through all the land 
A change, Oh, such a wondrous change! 
Nor could I ever tell how strange. 


106 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


Great towers rose, so tall and high 
They seemed to touch the very sky, 

She saw fine castles white and gold, 

As there had been in days of old. 

She looked out over the blue sea 

Where she thought the two Swans should be. 

No longer they swam to and fro, — 

A Prince and Princess bending low 
Kissed both her hands. The Prince was fair, 
The Princess with such golden hair, 

It shone and glittered in the light, 

All yellow, beautiful and bright. 

No Prince was handsomer than he, 

No Princess half as fair as she. 

And then from all about there came 
Great lords and ladies, known to fame; 

In silks and velvet, richly dressed, 

To do their sovereign’s behest. 

LVIII 

The Spell Is Broken 

Now you must know that Isabel 
At last had found the golden shell, 

Which like a tiny jewel lay 
Within the pearl she found that day. 

And so it was that Isabel 
Broke the Black Witch’s evil spell. 


\ 

ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 107 

And set the Prince and Princess free 
To be as happy as could be 
With palaces on every hand 
And many lords and ladies grand* 

And all was beautiful once more 
As everything had been before. 

They drank the Witch’s poison brew — 5 
Quite wonderful, I think — don’t you? 

LIX 

The Grand Ball 

Then they waked up the Queen to tell 
How they had found the Golden Shell, 

Inside the pearl the oyster brought 
Up from the sea, as like as not. 

The good Queen cried with joy to see 
The kingdom as it used to be, 

The Prince and Princess, tall and fair, 

To see the lords and ladies there. 

And in the Palace all that night 
A thousand lights burned, glad and bright. 

And there was such a ball as we 
Can never, never hope to see 
Where Isabel was gaily dressed, 

And danced with joy like all the rest. 

Then just before the cock’s shrill crow, 

The lords and ladies all bowed low, 


108 ISABEL AND THE GOLDEN SWANS 


To Isabel and kissed her hand, 

And why, you surely understand! 
Because she found the Golden Shell, 

And broke the Witch’s evil spell. 

“But now, good friends,” cried Isabel, 
“It’s time for me to say farewell, 

And if you’ll get a boat for me 
I’ll sail back home across the sea, 

To tell the wondrous things I’ve seen, 
I’ve had a splendid time, dear Queen, 
But really I must say good-day, 

My folks will think I’ve run away.” 

LX 

Isabel Back Home Again 

I wonder if you know how she 
Got home all safe and sound from sea: 
She merely opened both her eyes 
And very much to her surprise 
Was there upon the sand as though 
She’d never been away, you know. 

Quick then she scampered home to tell 
About the Queen, the Golden Shell, 
And how the lords and ladies grand 
Had bowed to her and kissed her hand, 
Because she set the kingdom free 
From the Black Witch’s spell, you see. 


ISABEL AND TIIE GOLDEN SWANS 109 


LXI 

The End 

So now you know how Isabel 
Once found the tiny Golden Shell, 

The Black Witch cast into the sea 
And set the Prince and Princess free. 
And someday, maybe, you and I 
Upon the sunny sand may lie, 

And go to sleep, as children do, 

And make a wondrous journey, too. 

And when we wake, have things to tell, 
Oh, quite as strange as Isabel! 









THE FLIGHT OF THE STICK- 
CANDY MAN 














THE FLIGHT OF THE STICK CANDY 
MAN 


The Candy Shop Man in the Village of Dee 
Once made a big Stick Candy Man, 

Out of all sorts of sugar and sweets, and with glee 
He laughed from the time he began. 

“What fun for the children,” he chuckled and said, 
“When they look in my window and see 
A whole Candy Man, from his toes to his head, 
Such a wonderful sight it will be!” 

The Candy Shop Man went to work with his wife 
In his shop in the village of Dee, 

And never, Oh, never in all of your life 
Such a wonderful sight will you see 
As the Stick Candy Man that they made in a night, 
And they both of them laughed in their glee, 

To think what a wonderful, wonderful sight 
It would be for the children of Dee. 

His head was a gum drop enormously big, 

With two rock-candy crystals for eyes; 

He wore a cocked hat that was shaped like a fig 
Of a great and unusual size. 

A body of creamy white sugar he bore 
With a chocolate coat roundabout, 

Set with peppermint buttons behind and before, 
Such a jolly fine fellow and stout. 

113 


114 THE STICK CANDY MAN 


The Candy Shop Man spun a red sugar sash 
With a beautiful bow at one side, 

That gave him an air of distinction and dash, 
And his cocked hat with ribbons was tied. 
They fastened him safely with sharp wooden pegs 
To hold him together that way, 

And set him up high on two stick candy legs 
In the candy shop window one day. 


’Twas a wonderful sight for the children of Dee 
When they passed by the window that day; 

They laughed and they cheered and they shouted 
with glee 

And bade him to come out and play. 

They stayed there so long they were near late for 
school, 

And when the day’s lessons began 
They quite forgot all about schoolbook and rule 
When they thought of the Stick Candy Man. 


And grown folks and parents would stop on their 
way 

Past the candy shop window to see 
The Stick Candy Man with his red sash so gay 
In the candy shop window of Dee. 

Nobody e’er saw such a coat as he wore, 

Such a glossy rich chocolate brown, 

With its peppermint buttons behind and before 
And its long swallow tails hanging down. 






































ft 

\ 














THE STICK CANDY MAN 


117 


Now he never expected to be any more 
Than a candy shop window display, 

(For never I’ve heard in my life time before 
Of a candy man running away.) 

But somehow one night he felt life in his legs 
And his rock candy eyes came to see, 

And he found his arms swing on their queen 
wooden pegs, 

Such a thing as you’d say could not be. 

He tilted his fig hat quite far on one side 
In the jauntiest, sauciest way, 

Then tightened the sash where the big bow was 
tied 

And kicked up his heels just in play. 

He listened but all ’round about him was still, 

Not a sign of the Candy Shop man, 

So just as dawn came peeping over the hill 
He opened the front door and ran. 

His stick candy legs were a little bit new 
And quite awkward and stiff at the knees, 

His long chocolate coattails with mint buttons blew 
Behind him and flapped in the breeze; 

But he pulled his fig hat tightly down o’er his face 
And so fast down the village street ran 
For he knew he must run a remarkable race 
To escape from the candy shop man. 


118 THE STICK CANDY MAN 


Quite breathless at last from the race that he ran, 
(For he never had run one before,) 

He felt he was safe from the candy shop man, 

But his feet were all blistered and sore, 

For a Candy Man’s feet are the tenderest kind 
So he laid him down under a tree 
With the village, Oh, quite a long distance behind 
And he felt very joyous and free. 


“Such a cool, shady spot for a nap,” then he cried, 
As he covered his rock candy eyes 
With his fig of a hat where the ribbons were tied, 
But he waked with a start of surprise, 

For a big, saucy blackbird perched right on his hat 
For a fig hat’s a dainty to prize, 

And pecked out great holes from the hat as he sat, 
And near pecked out the rock candy eyes. 


“Alack and alas!” cried the Stick Candy Man. 

“If they peck off my hat I can see 
They will peck off my head just as soon as they can 
For a gum drop’s as sweet as can be.” 

Then he shivered and shook with a terrible fright, 
And deep, deep in the green wood he ran, 

And he made up his mind that when it should come 
night 

He’d go back to the Candy Shop Man. 


THE STICK CANDY MAN 


119 


But his woe was not over — ’twas hardly begun, 
As you’ll come in a moment to see, 

When deep in the shade of the green wood he’d 
run 

And thought he was safe as could be, 

He heard many voices of girls and of boys, 

With laughing and shouting and cheers, 

Oh, a terrible, terrible, terrible noise 
To a Candy Man’s eatable ears. 

He was still as a mouse, lest they find him in there 
And eat him from top to his toe, 

And he trembled and shook and he looked every- 
where 

But alas — there was no place to go. 

And he wished, Oh he wished he’d not set out to 
roam, 

And he bitterly rued that he ran 
From the safe place he had in the window at home 
With the kind-hearted Candy Shop Man. 

His heart beat so loud he was sure they must hear, 
As he hid himself close by a tree, 

Where he shivered and trembled and heard them 
come near 

As they played in the wood in their glee; 

And then as they started to play Hide and Seek 
And darted and scampered and ran 
They sped through the green wood and heard a 
queer squeak 

Of alarm from the Stick Candy Man. 


120 THE STICK CANDY MAN 


Then they set up a shout and the Candy Man fled 

From the wood with a terrified cry 
And through the green field that was near them he 
sped 

For he feared they would eat him, or try; 

His striped red legs were all scratched and torn 

From the brambles and thorns where he ran, 
And he wished twenty times he had never been 
born 

Or had not been a Stick Candy Man. 

Now came all the children with shouts and with 
cries, 

A score of them, two score and three, 

They scarce could believe what they saw with their 
eyes 

So they set out to catch him — Ah, me I 
Through fences they darted, up hillsides they 
dashed, 

On, on toward the Village of Dee, 

And through shallow brooklets with bare feet they 
splashed, 

To capture and eat him you see. 

Now swiftly he sped down the dusty high road 

Where the good Farmer Silas drove by 
And whistled and sang on the top of his load 

When he heard the great clatter and cry; 

The Candy Man whizzed like a thunderbolt on 


THE STICK CANDY MAN 


121 


As though on the wings of the wind, 

A flash and a great cloud of dust — he was gone, 
With the children all coming behind. 

Then good Farmer Silas drove madly in chase 
Till the pumpkins rolled down from his load, 
And big dogs and little ran out of each place 
That he passed and gave chase down the road; 
Such shouting and barking, such noise and such 
cries 

Were not heard since the village began, 

And people came staring with wide-open eyes 
At the chase of the Stick Candy Man. 

His rock candy eyes streamed with tears as he sped, 
From the dust and the wind, and there blew 
A breeze that swept off his fig hat from his head 
And he kicked off each marshmallow shoe. 

He tore off the coat with a rip and a rent, 

And the spurt sugar sash that he wore, 

Till faster and faster and faster he sped 
As no candy man ever before. 

The children ate up the great coat that he tore 
From his back, all so glossily brown; 

Ate the peppermint buttons behind and before 
And the long swallow tails hanging down; 
They ate the fig hat that blew off of his head, 

Ate the marshmallow shoes he’d had on, 

And the sash of spun sugar all gorgeous and red, 
Not a crumb of his clothes but was gone. 


122 


THE STICK CANDY MAN 


The villagers heard the great tumult and shout 
And they looked on with fear and surprise, 
Saw the stick candy legs stride so mightily out, 
And the glistening rock candy eyes; 

The bare gum drop head — such a creature to see, 
On the dusty high road as he ran, 

And they’ll tell you today in the village of Dee 
Of the flight of the Stick Candy Man. 

Then chore-boys and hucksters and idlers gave 
chase 

Through the streets of the Village of Dee, 

Till half of the people who lived in the place 
Were racing as madly as he. 

Through gardens, by hedges, up streets and down 
lanes 

They chased and they raced and they ran, 

Till Oh, there were terrible, terrible pains 
In the legs of the Stick Candy Man. 

They pelted with missiles his back as he sped, 
And once he was sure of his doom, 

For a woman ran out from a doorway ahead 
And struck at him twice with a broom; 

Old men turned about on the streets as they heard 
The increasing clatter and cry, 

But ere they were able to utter a word 
The Stick Candy Man would whizz by. 


THE STICK CANDY MAN 123 

Then at last when he stumbled, with bruised, 
blistered feet, 

And felt he could not run much more, 

He turned in despair in the long, narrow street 
And dashed through a wide open door. 

“Oh, save me, I pray you/’ he cried in dismay, 

And straightway he staggered and ran 
Through the shop whence that morning he’d stolen 
away 

To the arms of the Candy Shop Man. 


The Candy Shop Man closed and bolted the door, 
Ere the throng of pursuers came in, 

But outside the shop was a terrible roar, 

Such a clamor and clatter and din. 

So the Stick Candy Man jumped straight into a 
pot 

Where like syrup the hot taffy ran, 

And melted to sugar right there on the spot 
Such an end for a Stick Candy Man! 


Now the moral of this is, I think, very plain, 
That a sailor should stick to the sea, 

And a Stick Candy Man has quite nothing to gain, 
No matter how bold he may be, 

By leaving the place he was fitted to fill, 

For it’s all very easy to plan, 

But the best plans we make will quite often go ill, 
As they did with the Stick Candy Man. 


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